Measles warning for Jetstar and Virgin passengers to Sydney, Melbourne

A measles warning has been issued for Jetstar and Virgin passengers who were on three flights between Thailand, Sydney, Melbourne and Christchurch last week after one traveller was diagnosed with the highly contagious disease.

The traveller was infectious while on Jetstar flight JQ28 that left Phuket at 9.45pm on March 18, and arrived in Sydney at the T1 international terminal at 10.30am on March 19, NSW Health said.

The tell-tale blotchy rash of a case of measles.Credit:ninevms

The traveller left Sydney on flight JQ517 from the T2 domestic terminal at 2pm on March 19 and arrived at Melbourne Airport Terminal 4 at 3.35pm.

The traveller then departed Melbourne on Virgin Australia flight VA99 at 6.35pm, arriving at Christchurch Airport at 11.35pm.

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NSW Health received the information from New Zealand Health authorities. The age, gender and nationality of the traveller was not disclosed.

People who were on the same flights or at Sydney Airport’s international and domestic baggage carousels, customs, arrivals and departure areas between 10.30am and 2.30pm on March 19 are being urged to check for symptoms until April 6.

"If you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP to ensure you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients," NSW Health’s Communicable Diseases Branch director Vicky Sheppeard said.

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Last week, a primary school student and backpacker took the number of measles cases identified in NSW to 25 since December; 19 were infected while overseas. Seven of those had visited the Philippines.

Victoria has recorded eight cases so far this year.

Outbreaks of measles in popular tourist destinations, including countries in south-east Asia, means the risk for measles being imported into Australia remains high.

Symptoms include fever, sore eyes and a cough, followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and neck to the rest of the body.

Measles is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease.

People are susceptible to measles if they have never had the disease or have not received two doses of the measles vaccine, Dr Sheppeard said.

“If you’re unsure whether you’ve had two doses, it’s safe to have another."

Most people born before 1966 will have been exposed to measles in childhood and be protected.

Adults born in or after 1966 - especially those planning to travel overseas - could be susceptible. Victoria's chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton urged these individuals to contact their GP to receive the free measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.